The Easter Bunny brought us.....

[noabeliv]

an Easter "rabbit"! Yes, thanks to my dh we are now the proud owners of a new "white fur and pink eyed" bunny. It is precious! We have been reading all day on how to take good care of it. Have any of you had a rabbit? Would you like to give us some "helpful advice"? There is lots of contradicting info floating around out there.... Thanks!

 

[DocRafiki]

Ugh. Why do people do this?

 

[hyzdufan]

Originally posted by DocRafiki
Ugh. Why do people do this?

Do what, Doc? Give rabbits as pets?

 

[Keli]

Originally posted by DocRafiki
Ugh. Why do people do this?

What in the world are you talking about???? What a terrible thing, someone got a rabbit as a pet. People shouldn't have pets I guess or maybe they shouldn't ask for tips on the best way to take care of them?

To the OP:
Rabbits make wonderful pets. We've had a few of them over the years and they are very personable animals. We went to the library and got some books on caring for them and we also talked to a breeder about them. It's been several years since our last rabbit passed away so I'm afraid I don't remember the details on their diets and whatnot but you might try the resources I mentioned for some good information.

 

[kirstyfly]

and correct me if i am wrong doc but some people over the holiday season buy holiday animals eg. kittens at christmas ( in new zealand it is summer time) and the animal is forgotten once the holiday is over.

I;m sure this is not the case with this OP as they have been looking and asking for help on how to care for there bunny.

They make great pets but it has been years since i owned one.

 

[cgcw]

We have a rabbit for pet and it's wonderful. In fact, "Blitzen" was delivered by Santa a couple years ago for our DS. If it's something good for a family, why would it matter when it is bought?

Anyway, our rabbit is a great pet and personally, I prefer him over our dog. He loves to sit on the kids laps and cuddle with them while they watch TV. He gets along great with our dog, which was a surprise, since we were not sure how the two would take each other. He loves to run around the family room and I think it's a game to him not to get caught and put back into his cage.

We feed him a mixture of rabbit pellets and hay. Occassionally, we give him a treat of papiya and on very rare occassions, we give him a carrot to nibble. I heard the lettuce is not a good thing to give him, so we never have.

When we first got him, the pet store cautioned us as to what type of litter we were going to use (he's now litter box trained -- which was very easy to do). The Pet Store mentioned that some rabbits will eat the kitty litter and it will make them sick. Ours never has, but just something to think about.

Have fun with your new pet!

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

Doc Rafiki:

I understand. I saw a news program about this a few days ago. It told how some poeple get new bunnies, baby chicks, etc as a holiday thing, then "turn them loose" after they are tired of them, thinking they are "animals" and will survive! They told how a bunny will be food for running dogs, etc in minutes! Survival is impossible! Baby chicks usually die from over handling, or starve from lack of proper food and warmth.

On the other hand, if this is something that is researched, and is gone into for the long haul being completely aware of needs, both the animal and the family, then the timing is welcomed at a holdiay time.

Nothing drives me more crazy than seeing puppies, kittens, whatever in a box for free outside Wal-mart or wherever. A pet is not a spur-of-the-moment purchase like a candy bar! It takes thought, planning, and dedication.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

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[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

Originally posted by DocRafiki
Ugh. Why do people do this?

Ugh. Why do people do THIS? ^
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[6_Time_Momma]

Originally posted by Disney's Deluxe Princess
Ugh. Why do people do THIS? ^
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We had a mini rex who was white and pink eyed. he had the absolute softest fur I have ever felt. We had him for two year when he unexpectedly died. As to his diet, we hed him rabbit pellets and occasionally the rabbit diet with seeds and such in it. I think we also fed him a few Cheerios once in awhile. The breeder told us to, but I can't remember why.

He was sweet. We would take him out of his cage and let him run around our house for a few hours. I understand you can litter train them, although we didn't try with Thumper.

 

[wendyl]

You have done the same thing as the OP.

You said you went to the library and read books.So whats the diffrence if you have done this and the OP doing the same thing?

I'm pretty sure kelli was directing the first part of her post to DocRafiki-and was being sarcastic.

 

[wendyl]

Noabeliv:

I have had several bunnies as pets--and they make good pets. We always kept ours with free run of the house--and they were litter trained. Now, when I say litter trained--it is not exactly like a cat--they will go in their litter box--or just next to it--so putting it on carpet is not a good idea. The litter box training for us, only worked if the bunnies food and water was next to the litter box as well.

Be very careful with your cords----they will chew them. One of ours chewed the back of our sofa skirt--we had no idea until we moved---YIKES!

Anyway, the are social and like to be in whatever room you are in. They like to be scratched and pet on their heads and around their ears. DO NOT feed them "rabbit treats" like yogurt drops that you can buy at pet stores. Two of our rabbits got very sick--and the vet told us that the sugar in those was very bad for for rabbits--they had to chew Ginger Root to settle the stomachs. Treats like carrots, celery, lettuce leaves, etc... are much better for them.

You will HAVE to get your bunny spayed or neutered--HAVE TO--trust me.

Good Luck!

 

[noabeliv]

Thanks for all the positive feedback. We are really enjoying our new "baby". It is about 5-6 weeks old and very affectionate. Even my DS16, who didn't seem to care about it at first, is having fun with "Hopper". I am wondering does every vet know about rabbit care and spaying/neutering or will I need to find a "specialist"?

 

[crazyme5kids]

My vet is not big on people having rabbits as pets. That being said, he gave us a lot of advice about a rabbits dietary needs. Lettuce is not good, but kale and dandelion greens are very good. He didn't like the dried pellets much or the alfalfa from the pet stores (could give a little of both but not much). Cheerios were a big no in his book. Part of the reason he gave for not being a big supporter of owning pet rabbits is that they don't get enough exercise. The lack of proper diet was another.
Rabbits are also prone to hairballs, in the wild they are able to pass them (poop) easier due to a natural diet and plenty of exercise. Unlike cats they can't cough a hairball up. My vet said this is what usually kills domestic rabbits. I found all this info out when my rabbit got sick. I had to give him grapefuit juice ( about a tablespoon full) a couple of times a day to help dissolve the hairball.
Take your rabbit to the vet and speak to him or her about the best way to care for your new family member. Have fun!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I love bunnies! I would love to have one of my own someday. I used to bunny-sit for a boss of mine.

Anyway, I think Doc meant that why do you buy a pet before researching it. A lot of rabbits don't like being held. They are very fragile, especially as babies. You do need to watch wires, cords, etc. There are certain foods they should not be given. Things like that NEED to be known before the animal is brought into the house. Plus you need to decide if it will be an "indoor" bunny and if you will litter train it or not (the one I watched was litter trained). Plus I have to agree, pets as gifts is not a good idea. But that's my own opinion. You have to do what is best for you and your family. I know in mine, it has to be a well thought out thing.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Congrats on your baby bunny!!

We have had several rabbits, but as outdoor rabbits, not indoor. I've had up to 8 at a time . . .having 1 now is a piece of cake!

She eats basically rabbit pellets for her main diet. She is a dwarf rabbit and she is a bit quirky at times. I think she is the only rabbit I've owned that didn't like lettuce or carrots. She does like dandelion leaves/stems though.

My niece has an indoor rabbit who is like having a dog and/or cat. The rabbit uses a litter box and hops around the house and comes on command . . .

Have fun with yours!

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Cheerios were a big no in his book.

Huh. Wonder why the vet said no, but the breeder said yes? Did the vet say why he didn't like Cheerios for the rabbit? Wish I could remember why the breeder said to give them.

 

[preshi]

I agree with Doc. People should really do their animal research BEFORE they get the pet not after.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Originally posted by Disney's Deluxe Princess
Ugh. Why do people do THIS? ^
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[Lisa F]

About 2.5 weeks after halloween we went from being a 2 cat family to a 3 cat family. Someone had left the most adorable (see my sig!) black kitten with a little food and water in the hallway outside of our apartment. I fell in love with him the second I saw him and brought him inside. We spent a couple of days trying to find out who he belonged to and then brought him to the vet, got him checked out, vaccinated, medicine to get rid of fleas and worms and then neutered a few weeks later and he was ours.

I don't think it was a conicidence that this black cat was abandoned a couple of weeks after halloween. I think someone thought it would be a neat idea to have a black cat for halloween and when the reality of having to deal with fleas and worms and neutering and all of the vet bills that entailed, they just left him somewhere and hoped someone would be kind enough to clean up their mess for them. It makes me VERY angry that they did this and I, too, wish people would not be impulsive about obtaining animals for decoration around the holidays (though I am so in love with the little guy, I can't imagine life without him now).

That said, it's a pretty bit stretch to assume that someone who is clearly taking responsibility for their pet by researching the best way to care for them is like people who abandon their holiday pets when they get tired for them. Yeah, it would be great if research is done BEFORE getting the pet but IMO there are a lot of things in the world that don't occur under complete ideal circumstances and what REALLY counts is that when it comes down to it, people take responsibility for their actions.

I hope you enjoy your new bunny!